Trophic Levels (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Co-ordinated Sciences (Double Award): Biology): Revision Note

Exam code: 0654 & 0973

Lára Marie McIvor

Written by: Lára Marie McIvor

Reviewed by: Lucy Kirkham

Updated on

Trophic Levels: Extended

Extended Tier Only

  • A trophic level is the position of an organism in a food chain or food web

  • Examples of trophic levels include:

    • Producers are the first trophic level in all food chains

    • Primary consumers are at the second trophic level

    • Secondary consumers are at the third trophic level

    • Tertiary consumers are at the fourth trophic level

    • Quaternary consumers are at the fifth trophic level

Food chain showing trophic levels

Trophic levels describe the position of organisms in a food chain

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Lára Marie McIvor

Author: Lára Marie McIvor

Expertise: Content Creator

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.

Lucy Kirkham

Reviewer: Lucy Kirkham

Expertise: Content Creator

Lucy has been a passionate Maths teacher for over 12 years, teaching maths across the UK and abroad helping to engage, interest and develop confidence in the subject at all levels.Working as a Head of Department and then Director of Maths, Lucy has advised schools and academy trusts in both Scotland and the East Midlands, where her role was to support and coach teachers to improve Maths teaching for all.